Iceland review - 2014, Page 99

ICELAND REVIEW 97
seyðisfjörður – CulTural anD naTural ParaDise
Nestled by the long and deep fjord of the same name, surround-
ed on all sides by high mountains, Seyðisfjörður is a natural par-
adise, one of Lonely Planet’s top picks in Iceland. Year-round, a
number of artists are based in Seyðisfjörður, some of whom come
through the Skaftfell Center for Visual Art’s artist-in residence
program. The LungA art festival is a week-long event for young
artists held every summer, renowned for its unique atmosphere.
The LungA art school, which sprung from the festival, will start this
autumn. The local culture and art life is booming and there are
several other festivals, exhibitions and workshops to choose from.
visitseydisfjordur.com
fjarðaByggð – jusT WonDerful
Comprised of six picturesque towns and villages, including
Reyðarfjörður, Eskifjörður and Neskaupstaður, nestled in narrow
fjords at the foot of steep mountains, Fjarðabyggð offers a friendly
small-town atmosphere and a wonderful experience of genuine
Icelandic fishing villages. Each settlement has its own characteris-
tics, reflected in local restaurants, cafés, galleries and handicraft.
The region also has first-class swimming pools, noteworthy muse-
ums, three golf courses and extensive services for tourists. Tour
operators specialize in the versatile experience of Icelandic nature.
In winter, visitors can go skiing at the local resort. Find your favor-
ite hotel, guesthouse or campsite and enjoy unlimited access to
wonderful natural treasures.
DjúPiVogur – arTisTiC hoTsPoT
Rolling Snowball/5 is a Chinese-European exhibition, running until
August 15, 2014, initiated by the Chinese European Art Center
(CEAC) in partnership with Djúpivogur. Photographs, paintings,
sculptures, videos and drawings from 33 artists are on display.
CEAC has also opened an artist residency in Djúpivogur. Already
an artistic hotspot, 34 granite sculptures by Sigurður Guðmunds-
son, representing eggs, line the town’s pier. Focusing on local
products and hospitality, Djúpivogur became the first municipal-
ity in Iceland to obtain Cittaslow certification. Tourists are also
attracted by the region’s rich birdlife, with tours to Papey island
being popular, and colorful minerals; nature reserve Teigarhorn is
famous for its zeolites. djupivogur.is
Travel
Clockwise from the top left: kaupvangur, the vopnafjörður culture center, built 1882; the swimming pool in neskaupstaður, fjarðabyggð; the swimming
pool in egilsstaðir, fljótsdalshérað; the church at Berufjörður in djúpavogshreppur; view of egilsstaðir on the banks lagarfljót, fljótsdalshérað.
From the left: a kayak rental in Seyðisfjörður; the eggs in gleðivík, djúpivogur.